Multicolor selective means for copying machines



0L 1.. HERMAN Oct. 27, 1970 MULTICOLOR SELECTIVE MEANS FOR COPYING MACHINES Filed Nov. 29, 1968 United States Patent 01 hoe 3,536,399 Patented Oct. 27, 1970 3,536,399 MULTICOLOR SELECTIVE MEANS FOR COPYING MACHINES David L. Herman, 63 Catherine Road, Scarsdale, NY. 10583 Filed Nov. 29, 1968, Ser. No. 779,825 Int. Cl. G03g 15/10 US. Cl. 355-4 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates generally to the field of electrostatic copiers employing liquid toning baths, reference being made to my copending application Ser. No. 719,291 filed Mar. 20, 1968 which discloses a device of this type. More specifically, the invention relates to the provision of a plurality of toning or activating stations, any of which may be preselected to receive a given sheet of exposed copy paper, whereby the sheet may be activated to render an image in a desired color.

There have recently become available on the market toners which are capable of imparting other than a black image upon copy papers of the so called Electrofax type, thus facilitating easy identification of particular copies from those which have been activated to produce an image in a different color. Unfortunately, unless a particular location is provided with several copying machines, each filled with a liquid toner inparting a different color, it is diificult to utilize this development in the art.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the pres ent invention to provide in an electrostatic copying machine of the class described a plurality of toner activating stations, each containing a toner of different type, together with means for preselecting the individaul station to receive a particular sheet of copy paper, whereby the color of any particular copy may be determined at the time of exposure, and the color may be readily changed for succeeding copies.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of improved means of the class described, which may be incorporated into existing copying machines with a minimum of modification and expense.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of improved copying machine structure possessed of the above advantages in which each of the activating stations operates independently of the others, so that should any one of the activating stations become, for any reason, inoperative, the copying machine may still be used to produce acceptable copies.

These objects, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more clearly appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, the single figure is a schematic view of an embodiment of the invention.

Briefly stated, the disclosed embodiment provides a tank or reservoir equipped with one or more septums to define a plurality of compartments for accommodating toners of different color imparting properties. Disposed above the reservoir are a plurality of activating trays, each containing a different toner, supplied by pump means from the respective compartments of the reservoir. Adjacent to the leading edge of the trays is copy guiding means, manually controlled externally of the device for preselecting with respect to any given copy the desired color to be imparted to the copy upon activation.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character is incorporated into an electrostatic copier, of the type generall disclosed in my above mentioned copending application Ser. No. 719,291. The device 11 includes a copy exposing means 12 overlying a paper transport means 13 supporting individual copies one of which is indicated by reference character 14. The copies 14 are transported by moving belts, one of which is indicated by reference character 15 from a copy supporting plate 16 which forms a focal plane to one of a plurality of activating stations.

Disposed at one end 17 of the plate 16 is a transverselyextending shaft 18 which supports a planar guide 19 for movement between either of two positions, one of which is indicated in the drawing in solid lines, and the other in dash lines. The shaft 18 mounts a pulley 20 over which a cable 21 is entrained, the cable 21 communicating with an adjustable lever 22 capable of movement between stops 23, whereby the position of the guide 19 is determined.

Adjacent to the guide 19 is a tank 25 including a pair of side walls, one of which is indicated by reference character 26, end walls 27 and 28 and a bottom wall 29. Extending upwardly from the upper surface of the bottom wall 29 is a vertical septum 30, dividing the tank 25 into first and second reservoirs 31 and 32, respectively. It will be understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, that where required, additional septums (not shown) may be provided to form as many additional reservoirs as are necessary to contain toners of different color-imparting properties.

Disposed above the tank 25 are first and second troughs 33 and 34, respectively each positioned to communicate with the guide 19. Toner is continuously supplied during operation of the copier 11 to replace that which flows through drains 35 and 36 to the respective reservoirs. This is accomplished by providing conduits 37 and 38, having corresponding pumps 39 and 40 and outlets 41 and 42 positioned above the respective troughs.

Upon exiting from either of the troughs 33 and 34, individual copies 14 contact an exit guide 43 cooperating with belts 44 and 45, whereby the activated copy is expelled from the copier in well known manner.

Where desired, the manually operated lever 22 may be replaced by solenoid actuated means, or other semiautomatic devices known in the art.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. In an electrostatic copier of a type employing a liquid toner for actuating sensitized copy sheets, improved means for preselecting a color of exposed and activated sheets comprising: a plurality of activating stations, each containing a toner capable of imparting a predetermined color to an exposed sheet conducted therethrough, means for conducting sensitized sheets to said activating stations, and manually controlled means for directing an individual sheet to a preselected station; each of said stations including a toner-containing tray, an edge of each of said trays being placed in juxtaposition to a corresponding edge 4 of the other of said trays; said sheet conducting means ad- References Cited vanciug successive sheets to the area of said juxtaposed UNITED STATES PATENTS edges of said trays; a generally planar guard member pivotally mounted along one edge thereof at an end of 3,168,026 2/1965 Llmberger 355100 said sheet conducting means to contact the lower surface 31420351 1/1969 Levme et 355-4 of successive sheets, and means for manually adjusting the angular position of said guide to support the edges of NORTON ANSHER Prlmary Examiner successive sheets for entry into a selected tray. K. C. HUTCHISON, Assistant Examiner 2. Structure in accordance with claim 1, further characterized in the provision of individual reservoir means 10 US. Cl. X.R.

continuously feeding toner to each of said trays. v 5510 

